Thursday, January 24, 2008

Cancer Cure 'May Be Available In Two Years'

Image of how the treatment works

"Cancer sufferers could be cured with injections of immune cells from other people within two years, scientists say.

US researchers have been given the go-ahead to give patients transfusions of “super strength” cancer-killing cells from donors.

Dr Zheng Cui, of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has shown in laboratory experiments that immune cells from some people can be almost 50 times more effective in fighting cancer than in others."

To view this entire article, please click the title above.

PRO-Parents Upcoming Events

Image of PRO Parents Logo
1/24/2008 7:00 pm

ADD / ADHD Workshop
Cross Community Church of the Nazarene
5391 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
Contact: Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC at 1-866-863-1512

2/05/2008 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Workshop
Sponsored by: Kershaw County Foster Parent Association
DSS Office, 110 East DeKalb Street, Camden, SC
Contact: Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC at 1-866-863-1512

2/05/2008 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Sponsored by: Dillon Foster Parent Association
DSS Office Dillon, SC
Contact: Melinda Hawk, PRO-Parents of SC at 1-866-863-1512

2/09/2008 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Positive Behavior Interventions (PBI) Workshop
Sponsored by: Berkeley County Foster Parent Association
Western Sizzlen, Highway 52. Moncks Corner, SC
Contact: Melinda Hawk, PRO-Parents of SC at 1-866-863-1512

2/09/2008 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Newberry Family Resource Center
The Master's Baptist Church, Whitmire, SC
Contact: Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC
To register call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

For more information, please click the title above.

Family Connection Academy

Image of Family Connection Logo
Family Connection Academy is being held Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23! APPLICATIONS DUE BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008!!!!!

Are you a parent, grandparent or sibling that has done an incredible job with your relative with special needs and is ready to take the next step as a leader for other families currently going through what you have experienced? Family Connection of South Carolina (FCSC) would like to invite you to be a part of the inaugural Family Connection Academy. Family Connection is a parent-to-parent organization that believes in the principle that parents/relatives with shared experiences are uniquely qualified to help each other. This Academy is for parents or immediate relatives who are strong leaders or advocates, and desire to enhance their knowledge base on important issues like insurance and statewide resources. You will receive special parent driven training to equip you with even more information and skills and to build on your already established leadership abilities.

FCSC will select only 30 parents/relatives statewide to attend the Academy. Anyone interested in participating in the Academy is required to submit an application and provide references. We see this as an incredibly important volunteer endeavor that could greatly multiply the capacity of parents supporting other parents in our many rural communities and across our state.

The first two-day training will be in conjunction with our ‘Of Hopes and Dreams Conference’ on February 22-23, 2008. FCSC will cover the expenses for all meals, travel and hotel. The only expense Academy participants will need to pay is the registration fee for the conference on Saturday, February 23rd ($30).

Please call or e-mail W.C. Hoecke (parent of child with Down syndrome) at 800-578-8750 / wchoecke@familyconnectionSC.org for more information. All applications must be received in the FCSC office by Friday, January 25, 2008.

We are very grateful for all parents that dedicate their life to improving the lives of our greatest gifts. If you are not able to participate, but know another person who would fit perfectly with this opportunity please pass along the information.

Click on the following link or cut and paste into your web-browser for the application: http://www.familyconnectionsc.org/public/files/docs/PARENT_INFORMATION_FORM.doc

For more information, please click the title above.

Disability Awareness Day: Volunteers Needed

Image of woman pushing someone in a wheelchair
If you are interested in volunteering in Disability Awareness Day at Rosewood Elementary on Thursday, March 20, ANY TIME BETWEEN 8 am and 1pm, please contact Stephie Bridgers at stephaniebridgers@familyconnectionsc.org

Friends of RCPL Book Sale

Image of Books
The Friends of RCPL (Richland County Public Library) book sale is this weekend at the Operations Center on Lancewood Rd. This is the old St. Andrews branch... It is located across Bush River Rd from Dutch Square, behind the Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union. If you are a reader or know someone who is, this is a GREAT place to get books. We have fiction, classics, biography, history, travel, religion, parenting, Southern, cookbooks, children's, books on CD, some DVDs (and lots of VHS tapes), etc. Prices start at 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardbacks.

The sale is Saturday 9-3. If you join the Friends, you can shop the Friday night sale 6:30-8:30 (you can join at the door). Go to link below for more info.

For more information, please click the title above.

PLEASE HELP!

A mom and sibling had to leave their home in the night a few weeks ago due to domestic violence. Everyone is safe now, but they had to drive overnight to mom’s family’s home in Mississippi. The problem is that since they had to leave expeditiously, they could only take a change of clothes and that's about it. My patient is a 9 year-old with severe CP, autism, and severe seizure disorder. He has had 19 shunt revisions. Anyway, all of his equipment is still in the mobile home where they lived. The equipment includes his $6000 pedicraft enclosed bed system, walker, therapy equipment, oxygen and a Bear Hugger warmer (he can’t maintain his temperature when he sleeps). Dad has moved to Texas and said he wanted the “stuff” to go to the kids. What is needed is some way to store the stuff until the mom can make arrangements for it to be moved to MS. The landlord says that they have 24 hours to remove everything as he has someone waiting to rent the home.

Please contact Kim Conant, if you can help at specialneeds@palpeds.com

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Reminder: 2008 Family Connection Conference Approaching

logo of Family Connection
February 22 and 23, 2008
Sign Up Now!

The 2008 Family Connection 'Of Hopes and Dreams' Conference, expanded to two days of workshops, will be held on February 22 and 23 at the Brookland Banquet and Conference Center in West Columbia, South Carolina. The theme of this year's conference is "Pulling Together... It Works Wonders!"

The 'Of Hopes and Dreams' Conference brings parents and professionals together to learn about issues and topics concerning those who raise children with special needs.

This year's conference will also feature a family night social on Friday night at EdVenture Children's Museum. The family night social is a great opportunity for families to meet, greet, and enjoy fun, food, and EdVenture Children's Museum. You do not need to be registered for the conference in order to attend the family night social.

Friday's conference offers three workshop options, and Saturday's conference offers 19 workshops.

This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Mark Posey, associate professor of clinical pediatrics in the department of developmental pediatrics in the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. A licensed and certified school psychologist, Mark has 12 years of experience in the public school system working with all areas of special needs, including parents of children with special needs.

To register for this year's conference, please call (800) 578-8750 or complete the registration form at http://familyconnectionsc.org/programs/annual_conference/ and mail to Family Connection, 2712 Middleburg Drive, Suite 103B, Columbia, SC 29204.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Parenting and Policymaking: Dads and disabilities

logo of The State
November 27, 2007
By Devon Copeland
dcopeland@thestate.com

"Kevin Crain still remembers feeling shocked and fearing the unknown when his daughter Rachel was born with Down syndrome. His and his wife tried to navigate the medical care, eduction and bureaucracy on their own. But when the private school his daughter was attending said they didn't have the resources to handle her disability, Crain sought help.

"For one weekend a month for the next five months, Crain will join 21 others for a Partners in Policymaking class. The program, which is free to S.C. residents, trains adults with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities to better navigate the maze of federal regulations, doctor visits and school conferences. Crain's enrollment in the class symbolizes a trend among the participants. Four fathers are enrolled in this session's class, which began earlier this month, marking the program's largest father enrollment in one session. Of the program's 200 graduates since 1997, 11 have been fathers.

It's becoming increasingly common to see fathers participate in support groups and classes to help them find their roles in a family with a disabled child. Parents in Policymaking is available to mothers and fathers, and participants said learning about to better advocate for children is a role both parents can - and should - play."

The complete article is available for a fee by clicking the title above.

Want to know more about the Partners in Policymaking program? Contact PRO-Parents at (803) 772-5688 or go to http://www.proparents.org/pip.html

Strides for Autism

logo of South Carolina Autism Society

STRIDES FOR AUTISM


Walks Across South Carolina

April 12, 2008
Saturday Morning 8AM-11:30AM
Greenville Technical College - Barton Campus

May 10, 2008
Saturday Morning 8AM-11:30AM
Finlay Park, Columbia

Lace up your sneakers, bring the family and have some fun as we take Strides for Autism

Contact Barbara MacWilliams at SCAS 806 12th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169 * (800) 438-4790 ext. 120

For more information, please click the title above.

Monday, January 14, 2008

SCATP Expo 2008

Logo of SCATP
Mark your calendars and spread the word!

South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo 2008
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
March 19, 2008
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Free and open to the public

See and try the latest devices, equipment, gadgets, and software to help people of all ages live more independently in all areas of life. Attend workshops on topics related to assistive technology for memory, home living, education, literacy, communication, computer access, and mobility.

Family Connection Academy Needs You!

Are you a parent, grandparent or sibling that has done an incredible job with your relative with special needs and is ready to take the next step as a leader for other families currently going through what you have experienced? Family Connection of South Carolina (FCSC) would like to invite you to be a part of the inaugural Family Connection Academy. Family Connection is a parent-to-parent organization that believes in the principle that parents/relatives with shared experiences are uniquely qualified to help each other. This Academy is for parents or immediate relatives who are strong leaders or advocates, and desire to enhance their knowledge base on important issues like insurance and statewide resources. You will receive special parent driven training to equip you with even more information and skills and to build on your already established leadership abilities.

FCSC will select only 30 parents/relatives statewide to attend the Academy. Anyone interested in participating in the Academy is required to submit an application (see attachment) and provide references. We see this as an incredibly important volunteer endeavor that could greatly multiply the capacity of parents supporting other parents in our many rural communities and across our state.

The first two-day training will be in conjunction with our ‘Of Hopes and Dreams Conference’ on February 22-23, 2008. FCSC will cover the expenses for all meals, travel and hotel. The only expense Academy participants will need to pay is the registration fee for the conference on Saturday, February 23rd ($30).

Please call or e-mail W.C. Hoecke (parent of child with Down syndrome) at 800-578-8750 / wchoecke@familyconnectionSC.org for more information. All applications must be received in the FCSC office by Friday, January 21, 2008.

We are very grateful for all parents that dedicate their life to improving the lives of our greatest gifts. If you are not able to participate, but know another person who would fit perfectly with this opportunity please pass along the information.

Click on the following link or cut and paste into your web-browser for the application:

http://www.familyconnectionsc.org/public/files/docs/PARENT_INFORMATION_FORM.doc

SCAPT Training Schedule

image of computer

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Introduction to Vantage/Vanguard
9:00am - 3:30pm
Poplar Conference Room, Midlands Center, Columbia Presenter:
Presenter: Gina Greene, M.S.P., CCC-SLP, Regional
Consultant/Augmentative Communication Specialist, Prentke Romich Company

This workshop will provide the speech-language
pathologist, facilitator, parent or other person
interested in AAC with a thorough understanding
of Vantage and Vanguard through their operation,
customization of vocabulary and instructional strategies and techniques.

Registration: To register for this workshop, call
the Prentke Romich Company at 1-800-262-1984 and
ask for Kay Keener This class is limited to 12 people.

Cost: Free. This program is approved by ASHA for
0.5 CEUs (Introductory level, Professional area)

Thursday, January 24, 2008
"Active Learning and Study Strategies using the Kurzweil 3000 Software"
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Poplar Conference Room, Midlands Center, Columbia
Presenter: Edna Beard - Kurzweil Consultant and Reseller in the Carolinas

Workshop Description: If you already have
Kurzweil 3000 or are just thinking about
purchasing it - this workshop will help to
clarify just how the Kurzweil 3000 can be used to
help struggling students. The Kurzweil 3000 is a
content-independent reading, writing, and
learning software. It is used in elementary
schools, middle schools, high schools and
colleges and universities to help students
succeed in the classroom regardless of their curriculum or lesson plans.

The attendees will be shown activities using the
Kurzweil 3000 to teach learning strategies for
pre-reading skills, vocabulary development,
active reading strategies, writing and
proofreading, and test taking skills. In
demonstrating these activities the presenter will
be providing an overview of how this product can
be used with any struggling student.

Each attendee will receive a demo
copy of the Professional Color software, a
product overview brochure, and a copy of
"Scientifically-Based Research Validating
Kurzweil 3000 - An Annotated Review of Current
Research Supporting the Use of Kurzweil 3000 in the Classroom."

To register for this workshop:
Option 1: Complete the online registration form at www.sc.edu/scatp/regform.htm

Option 2: Email Sally Young at youngs@cdd.sc.edu

Option 3: Call Sally Young at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.

Option 4: Fax your registration information to
(803) 935-5342. Please include your name,
organization, address, email address, phone.
This workshop is free of charge, but is limited to 12 attendees.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008
“Making Books Talk for Beginning, Struggling, or Non-Readers”

9:00am - 3:30 pm
Collaborative Training Center, Midlands Center, Columbia
Presenter: Ken Whitley, B.S., M.A., CCC-SLP, Key Technologies, Inc.

Workshop Description: Many persons have
difficulty reading. These may be pre-literate
children, non-readers exhibiting cognitive
involvement, or those exhibiting learning
difficulties. This does not mean, however, that
these persons are not interested in books,
magazines, newspapers, or text-based materials on the internet.

Tools now exist that turn printed text (paper or
on-screen) into talking text. Other tools can be
used to create talking on-screen books using
personalized graphics, sounds, and videos. This
workshop will explore how to make text-based
materials usable, effective, and enjoyable for
persons who are either non-literate or who
struggle with literacy. Tools to be examined
include the BookWorm, SwitchIt! Maker 2, My Own
Book Shelf, IntelliTools Classroom Suite, and WYNN.

Participants will learn about:
Non-computer tools that employ recordings to make books talk
Tools that are used to create on-screen talking books
Tools which can convert paper or onscreen text
into talking text through the use of OCR scanning
Using your own digital pictures, videos, and
recordings in creating talking books

Please note: This is a literacy workshop, not a blind/low vision workshop.

Cost: $30.00, payable to Key Technologies through
pre-registration. To register, print out the
registration form from link on the SCATP Training
Schedule page at
http://www.sc.edu/scatp/trainingschedule08.html.
Print, complete and fax or mail to Key
Technologies. For questions, call Key
Technologies at 888-433-5303. This workshop is
limited to 60 participants and requires a minimum
of 25 participants pre-registered in order to be held.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Pee Dee School District AT Team Forum
9:00am - 3:00pm
Pee Dee Education Center, Florence
Moderated by Janet Jendron, SCATP

If you are thinking about starting an AT team or
already have one in place, this is a great
opportunity to learn from other AT Teams! Come
join us to learn about the various successes,
barriers, challenges and more that AT teams
around the state have faced. Also, hear about the
latest free tools that can help your struggling
students and those with disabilities from SC
Discus, SC Streamline and Recordings for the
Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). We'll also look at
the SCATP CD ROM "South Carolina Curriculum
Access through Assistive Technology," which will
be available (free) to all attendees. This
workshop is open to teachers, therapists and
school personnel from any school district
throughout the state, but if space becomes a
limiting factor, preference will be given to
personnel from the Pee Dee and Low Country Regions."

To register: Call Mary Jo Schneider at
843-661-4836, email Mary Jo Schneider, or use the
online registration form on the SCATP Training
Schedule Page at http://www.sc.edu/scatp/trainingschedule08.html.

Thursday, February 7, 2008
Low Country School District AT Team Forum
9:00am - 3:00pm
Technical College of the Low Country, Bluffton
Moderated by Janet Jendron, SCATP

If you are thinking about starting an AT team or
already have one in place, this is a great
opportunity to learn from other AT Teams! Come
join us to learn about the various successes,
barriers, challenges and more that AT teams
around the state have faced. Also, hear about the
latest free tools that can help your struggling
students and those with disabilities from SC
Discus, SC Streamline and Recordings for the
Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). We'll also look at
the SCATP CD ROM "South Carolina Curriculum
Access through Assistive Technology," which will
be available (free) to all attendees. This
workshop is open to teachers, therapists and
school personnel from any school district
throughout the state, but if space becomes a
limiting factor, preference will be given to
personnel from the Pee Dee and Low Country Regions."

To register: Call Mary Jo Schneider at
843-661-4836, email Mary Jo Schneider, or use the
online registration form on the SCATP Training
Schedule Page at http://www.sc.edu/scatp/trainingschedule08.html.

For more information, please click the title above.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Free Up-and-coming Pro-Parents Events


Wrightslaw:

Special Education Law and Advocacy

Presented by:

Peter Wright, Esq.

February 27th, 2008

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

SC State Museum
301 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Sponsored by:

PRO-Parents of South Carolina
652 Bush River Road
Suite 203
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
Telephone: (800) 759-4776 (toll-free)
Telephone: (803) 772-5688 (local)

Speaker:

Peter Wright is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and received his law degree from the University of Richmond.

Mr. Wright has practiced special education law since the 1970's. In 1993, he represented Shannon Carter before the U. S. Supreme Court in Florence County v. Shannon Carter (510 U.S. 7). He is the co-author of several books, including Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind, and Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004.

Registration Information

FREE registration includes a copy of:

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, 2nd Edition

and

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, 2nd Edition

(retail value $50.00)

  • 6.0 hours of CLE credit pending.
  • 6.0 CEU’s available from University of South Carolina for an additional $8.00.

Note: If you are a person with a disability and require accommodations, please discuss your needs with Heather Watson-Kelley by telephone at: 1-800-759-4776, or by e-mail at: hwkelley@proparents.org.

***Registration is free to SC residents and $30.00 for out of state participants.***

Registration Deadline: February 16th, 2008


AND


Chris Dendy Back by Popular Demand.

Will be here in Columbia April 4th, 2008 at Midlands Technical College – Airport location.

Chris is a parent, school psychologist, advocate, and author of several books including best seller

“Teaching Teens with ADHD.”

This One Day seminar will include:

  • Understanding ADD and ADHD
  • Executive Function
  • School Success
  • A teen Panel (true expert in the field)
  • Teaching Strategies

Registration is FREE; but space is limited; register early.

Books will be on sale during the seminar. Register online, by mail, or by fax. Contact us at: (803) 772-5688 ext. 103, by fax (803) 772-5341, by e-mail: hwkelley@proparents.org.